Victor Stanley-Idum, a Nigerian project manager based in the UK, has lost a lawsuit against the Ministry of Defence (MoD) after being disciplined for running personal errands during his work hours while working from home.
The civil servant had been reprimanded for activities such as purchasing a vacuum cleaner and taking an Uber to the airport during official working hours.
Stanley-Idum, who filed the case claiming racial discrimination, alleged that his manager harbored a “stereotypical view of Black Africans being lazy.”
However, an employment tribunal dismissed the case, stating that the MoD acted appropriately due to his “unstructured” work routine and the personal tasks he carried out during work hours.
Stanley-Idum had provided multiple justifications for his actions, including the need to buy a vacuum cleaner and pick up family members from the airport.
He claimed to have continued working while traveling, taking his laptop with him and even using his Uber ride to conduct work tasks.
Despite these explanations, the tribunal found his reasoning unconvincing, noting that he had used work hours for personal matters.
Judge Tim Adkin remarked that the evidence suggested Stanley-Idum had been engaging in non-work-related activities during office hours.
His supervisor, Sharon Docherty, had previously issued a structured timetable after concerns about his performance and casual approach to work hours.
Stanley-Idum later filed complaints of racial discrimination, harassment, and victimization, but the tribunal found no evidence to support these claims.
Judge Adkin concluded that there was no indication of racial bias, stating, “We have not formed the impression based on all the evidence that Mrs. Docherty held a stereotypical view of Black Africans being lazy or dishonest.”
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